Home to the prestigious University of Cambridge, and located around 50 miles from London, Cambridge has become more of a commuter hotspot.

London Kings Cross can be reached in just 50 minutes by train, and Liverpool Street in just over an hour. In 2018, there are plans for direct trains linking Cambridge with Gatwick Airport and Brighton, via London St Pancras.

According to Hometrack UK City House Price Index, as of January 2017, the average house price in Cambridge is £418,100, which is notably higher than the UK average of £205,800, but is still lower than £486,600, which is the average price of a home in London.

A survey by Glassdoor named Cambridge as the best city to live and work, and so for those people looking for a change, Cambridge is becoming a popular choice. Cambridge has one of the highest employment rates in the country.

Under the new devolution deal for Cambridge and Peterborough, a £70m boost is heading to the city’s council housing stock, which could help to build new homes for around 500 families. Councillor Lynda Harford, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for housing, says: “Anyone scouring estate agents’ windows and trying to get on the first rung of the property ladder will tell you how expensive it is to buy a home in this area. This is why delivering affordable housing is so important and funding being made available through our devolution deal is a great opportunity to accelerate delivery of thousands of new homes.”

There are also plans to create up to 6,500 new homes on the site of a former barracks and airfield near Cambridge, alongside the existing village of Waterbeach. The Ministry of Defence and developers Urban&Civic are currently seeking planning permission. Waterbeach currently has a population of just over 5,000, a number which is likely to treble if the new development becomes fully occupied.

Here are some great new build homes that are currently for sale in Cambridge…

Great Kneighton (CALA Homes) - From WhatHouse? Award winner CALA Homes comes the Great Kneighton development in Trumpington. This is a unique collection of 29 contemporary two-bedroom apartments, and three-, four- and five-bedroom luxury homes. Great Kneighton is a new development on the southern edge of Cambridge city centre. Prices start from £439,950. Find out more about Great Kneighton from CALA Homes

Magna (Hill) – A joint venture between house developer Hill, and Homerton College, Magna is a collection of 87 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with 50 for private sale. Each apartment features a terrace, balcony or winter garden, and the development is situated on a private road, within easy reach of Cambridge city centre. Prices start from £379,950. Read more about Magna from Hill

Halo (Crest Nicholson) – Within easy reach of Cambridge city centre, the M11, the Biomedical Campus and some of the best schools in Cambridge, Halo is the ideal location for city living. Halo is part of the Great Kneighton development, and so residents will have access to a primary and secondary school, a large country park and a village centre. A selection of four- and five-bedroom homes are available, with prices starting from £835,000. View more about Halo from Crest Nicholson

Novo (Countryside Properties) – Also part of the Great Kneighton development, Novo is a collection of 18 two-bedroom apartments and four-bedroom family homes. Novo is just a short walk from the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway access point which provides residents with a five minute journey to Cambridge train station, and then into the city centre. Prices start from £379,995 for a two-bedroom apartment, and £789,995 for a four-bedroom house. For more information, visit www.countryside-properties.com

Sanderson Manor (Redrow Homes) – Just five miles from Cambridge, Hauxton is the location of Sanderson Manor, a selection of four- and five-bedroom homes. Hauxton is a village located on the banks of the river Cam, surrounded by beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. Prices start from £596,950. Find out more about Sanderson Manor from Redrow Homes